This is a historical romcom that is at times ridiculous and other times sweet, but a delightful romp regardless. Part of the Wynchester series that follows a diverse group of siblings, this book can standalone or be seen as the penultimate story of each sibling finding love.

The Wynchesters are hired by a woman who planned to turn a castle into an orphanage and school. The castle had been left to her in a Countess’ will that went missing. The new Earl lost the castle in a card game after his mother’s death. Finding the will should prove the Earl couldn’t wager the castle.

With the Wynchesters busier than ever with jobs, sword-wielding Elizabeth Wynchester, travels to the castle alone to find the will. She arrives to find the Earl has fled and his cousin, investor Stephen, is holding down the fort. Elizabeth and Stephen have to find the will and hold off the man who thinks he won the castle from the Earl. Between Elizabeth’s fighting skill and Stephen’s machines, they plan to defend the castle. Of course, they fall in love along the way.

The writing is funny and outrageous at times. I was thoroughly entertained! There were many touching moments, too. We see two characters used to being alone navigating being in a relationship and articulating needs and boundaries.

The varied personalities and talents of the Wynchesters are on display in the finale scene and in a few chapters after. We also see Elizabeth’s disability described throughout and there are touching scenes with Stephen figuring out how to support her.

The epilogue lets us see the happily ever after and sets up the last sibling’s book.

I just was not able to get into this book. It felt too long, but I did like the characters.

I think part of the issue is that I read a Bridgerton novel right before this thinking I was in my like regency era.

I couldn't really get into it. The characters were great and the story line interesting, but something about her writing style bothered me. It was just a personal opinion, and I hope plenty of people read it!

"I more than like you," he said in a rush. "I am an utter fool for you. I like you so much that it shuts down my logic and makes me react with emotion, which is not a thing I believed myself capable of, until you battle-axed your way inside the castle."

🏰 regency read
🗡️ forced proximity
❤️opposites attract

Elizabeth Wynchester is a force to be reckoned with. Despite her constant chronic pain, she can still easily use her sword disguised as her cane to fight. Her new mission leads her to a castle and into the trap door invention of Stephen Lenox ⚙️

Stephen and Elizabeth had such great chemistry. The way they were so different but also balanced each other out perfectly. This was a fun and action packed read 😊

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC!

4.2⭐️

I looooved loved loved this book!! It was top-tier Erica Ridley, and flowed very well with the other books in the series. It was witty, funny, and super unique, while still staying true to the regency time period. Loved the physical and mental health rep, and of course seeing all the Wynchester sibs back at it again!

🌈Queer rep: Bi female main character. Secondary FF couple with a lesbian woman and a queer woman who is nonbinary-coded.

This scratched a very specific itch, and reminded me how much I love the genre of silly, wildly inaccurate depictions of historical fiction. There were many laugh out loud moments, and I’d be interested to read the other books in the series.

Stephen Lenox is a brillant man who just can’t seem find his place. So he just stays inside his house and keeps inventing. That is until his cousin gets in some trouble he doesn’t know how to get out of.
Elizabeth Wynchester Is the sword wielding fiend. Excellent in almost all she does or puts her mind to, which is usually violence, but hey no one is perfect. Now that almost all the Winchester’s have found the other half she almost seems like a fish out of water. So when this new client approaches with what seems like an ideal opportunity she jumps at the chance. Both Stephen and Elizabeth have their weaknesses that they will need to overcome and admit to before this adventure can be conquered.
Wonderful engaging story with lots of surprises for our sword wielding heroine. Loved this novel and although it can be read by itself you will want to go and find out who these extraordinary people are.
I received a complementary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review.. the opinion I have given is my own. I am disclosing this according to the guidelines.

I’ve previously read a few of the Wild Wynchesters series, but I’ll be honest that I may have missed one or two. Erica Ridley writes really fun books and this one was another. I love love love Erica’s female protagonists and Elizabeth was easily one of my favorites from the entire series! She’s so feisty and funny. I really enjoyed this fun romp that was not only a good time, but really hit on serious feelings in such a great way. Loved it!

The title drew me in first and I was not disappointed. Funny and witty with a dash of action. Stephen is not my typical favorite type of MMC but he definitely grew on me. Elizabeth is definitely one of my favorite types of FMC, a funny woman who can kick some butt. Now I have to go back and read about the rest of the family in the previous books!

While the story was fun, I found it too whimsy for my tastes.
This was my first book by Erica Ridley and in the Wynchester series - I couldn't keep all the siblings straight when they were in a scene together, and I found the plot to be fun in concept but too whimsy in execution. I also had some issues with Elizabeth's character at first, but those resolved themselves as the book went on!

Again, I am the problem here. I see this being a success for other readers!

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the eArc!

I loved this book! I was laughing the whole time. I need to go back now and read the authors precious books. I loved our FMC and the chronic illness/pain representation, I loved the love interest, I loved the setting. I just adored it. Can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

This book is a great start to a regency-era-filled summer with its humor, fun side characters, and adorable romance.
I hadn't read any of the Wild Wynchesters before picking up Hot Earl Summer, but I found myself easily entering the world of this family, and into the mindset of headstrong and powerful Elizabeth, aka Beth the Beserker.
I loved the duality of Stephen and Elizabeth, and that the setting the characters were put into served as a great plot tool in furthering their story. While the narrations felt a bit detached at times, they served really well in creating internal issues between both characters with their distinct personalities -- paving the way for character growth and relationship growth together.
Everything about this story was great fun in the best way possible, somehow lighthearted and meaningful all at once. Chronic illness, not fitting in, etc are all explored so well amongst the two protagonists, and the surrounding ambiance of the novel just elevates it all.
Overall, it's a great read, and I presume, a great book to get you into the world and relationships of all these crazy silly Wynchesters.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 3.5/5

I absolutely adored this book! Elizabeth is such a bloodthirsty little FMC and I'm here for all of it. Jacob was so accepting of all her quirks, just as she loved and adored all of his quirks. They were so well matched with each other, and perfectly complimented the other. The Wynchester family is so inclusive and loving to one another, and I love their mission to help those who need it most.

Loved reading the exciting and entertaining romance story. Instead of fighting Reddington for a will for her client, Elizabeth meets the handsome inventor, Peter. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series by the phenomenal author, Erica Ridley!

4.5 Stars

Elizabeth Wynchester is a character I aspire to be. We have many of the same ailments, joint issues, muscle spasms, swelling, and many more. She measures her health like a battery which is something I do as well. I’m useless under 20%, but not Elizabeth. She wielding swords and kicking butt. I wish I could do half as much as the swashbuckler that is Elizabeth Wynchester.

Elizabeth turns out to be the only Wynchester to take on the case of a woman, Miss Oak, needing to find her sister’s will to be able to take possession of Castle Harbrook. Only a couple problems. First, the late mistress of Castle Harbrook loved puzzles therefore hid her will somewhere in the castle. Second, Miss Oak’s nephew, Earl of Densmore, wagered the castle and lost to his neighbor, Richard Reddington. Lastly, Densmore took off, leaving his cousin and heir, Inventor Stephen Lennox, to fight off anyone who dares to attack the castle. Of course, nothing would stop Elizabeth from getting in.

Once Elizabeth gets in and hears what is really going on from Stephen, they agree to work together to protect the castle while they look for the hidden will. With Elizabeth’s collection of swords and Stephen’s machines to fortify the castle, the pair do their best to fight off Reddington and his fake soldiers with very real weapons.

I identify with Stephen as well. I don’t tinker with machines, but I do a lot of this and that with my creative projects. He’s also a homebody. I love staying home to work on my endeavors or curl up with a good book.

I love how Ridley crafted Elizabeth and Stephen’s sexual tension from their first meeting when Elizabeth slices Stephen’s shirt completely open. Never thought I’d be so enthralled by a description of a character’s abdominal muscles! The pair work together on their quest with more than a few hiccups along the way. They make the best of it in the end. The final battle is glorious. I loved how everyone had their purpose and Stephen found a group of people he fit in with. Overall, Hot Earl Summer was a fantastic fast-paced read with a couple with outrageous chemistry. You will not regret loving Elizabeth and Stephen.

I received Hot Earl Summer for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I love this ridiculous family!

Elizabeth works with her family solving problems. Due to everyone else being busy she goes to solve the problem of a missing will hidden in a castle under siege. The will can only be found by solving a scavenger hunt where the location of the first clue is unknown. The castle is occupied by Stephen, a prolific inventor, who is currently keeping the castle safe from attempts to take it.

Elizabeth knows exactly who she is and what she wants and is comfortable being unconventional. There is chronic illness representation and a completely ridiculous villian. I loved this book.

Okay I really loved this! Before going into it I didn’t have many expectations, other than thinking the vibe would be similar to Bridgerton. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book! It was fast paced, castle vibes with parts that made me laugh out loud.

I loved the representation for chronic pain, as Elizabeth deals with pain throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the romance in the novel and thought it was really well written. I ate this book up!!

All opinions are mine, and I 100% recommend this book!

Historical romance can be hit or miss for me. Hot Earl Summer was a miss. I wanted to enjoy this, but I couldn’t keep the characters straight and none of them really stuck out to me.

What an intensely witty and fun story this is! Elizabeth is a warrior that can’t wait to be let loose on the world. Stephen is a hermit, bent on not letting anyone it…literally! This story is so full of wonderfully funny situations and laugh out loud moments, it is worth every. Minute .of.your.time! I loved how Stephen’s tinkering led to the “murder room”, and Elizabeth’s love for all things pointy! “His Grace” never stood a chance! Adorable fun and a sense of both of them growing in ways they never imagined!

I received this story for free and these are my own opinions.

Erica Ridley has penned her best tale yet in the witty wacky Wynchester histrom series! Oooooh do I love characters Elizabeth, curvy and courageous and a swashbuckler to boot, and inventor Stephen Lenox, whom she swears to protect as enemies descend upon the castle of the Earl of Densmore. (Stephen is the Earl's cousin whom he agreed to impersonate briefly.) As danger looms, can spinster Elizabeth protect not only him, but herself as handsome Stephen threatens to invade HER heart? Swoon!